The Wasp — 1891 — page 172: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and editorial content** rather than political satire. The central feature is a biographical sketch of **J.L.E. Meisonnier**, a distinguished French artist (1815-1891), with an engraved portrait. The article praises his artistic achievements, noting his high prices ($15,000 for paintings), academic honors, and refined taste in collecting art and furnishings. The page includes two brief humorous anecdotes—"Making a Short Cut" about Judge Jangle's advice on wealth-seeking, and "After the Masquerade" (a lost amethyst string)—but these are minor filler pieces. The bulk of the page consists of insurance company advertisements and notices for San Francisco businesses, reflecting *The Wasp*'s role as a commercial publication serving the local business community.